Brian Braden
Jul 2, 2026
The Cube: An ambitious love letter to the "high fantasy" genre.
Richard Massie skillfully weaves classic high fantasy elements into The Mushroom Knight: The Cube—an expansive world, a structured magic system, mythical creatures, heroes, villains, and epic quests—while infusing them with fresh originality. The elementally based magic feels like a logical science, revealed naturally through character interactions and plot rather than dense exposition. This makes it accessible and satisfying, especially for hardcore fantasy fans, though some may see it as familiar territory. The story’s real strength lies deeper. Massie’s world-building shines in its rich cultural and religious contrasts between kingdoms, covering faith, social norms, art, morality, fashion, politics, and sexuality. These details emerge organically through dialogue and events, never feeling forced—world-building at its best. At its heart, the novel is driven by its characters and relationships. Instead of a standard quest party, Massie creates a found family bound by diverse backgrounds, unique abilities, and shared purpose. The central theme of family—forged through trust, respect, and love despite differences—gives the story emotional depth. Each character feels incomplete alone but powerful together. Evil is portrayed as a contagion: some antagonists are infected by it, while others embrace it willingly. Though villains seem understated at first, a late twist reframes their role, adding surprising complexity.I recommend The Mushroom Knight for older teens and adults. Sexuality is handled in a thoughtful coming-of-age style with one non-explicit encounter. Violence is present but purposeful, highlighting moral weight and consequences. At 1,173 pages, it’s a substantial epic—longer than The Fellowship of the Ring (432 pages) or The Eye of the World (753 pages), and comparable to The Way of Kings (1,137 pages). Every chapter serves a clear purpose, with tight pacing and smooth transitions. Very little feels superfluous in this ambitious debut.Highly recommended for fans of Tolkien, Sanderson, Jordan, and Martin. The Mushroom Knight: Book 1 – The Cube stands as a noteworthy, even extraordinary, addition to epic, high fantasy.
